Скачать или смотреть UK: LONDON: FIRST ALL JEWISH RADIO STATION SHALOM FM LAUNCHED

(11 May 1996) English/Nat

Britain's first all-Jewish radio station was launched this week, hoping to bring together members of the diverse community through more than just music.

Broadcasting out of a shopping centre in north London, Shalom F-M is attracting listeners by pairing up Jewish singles live on-air.

The station's been given 28 days to prove itself - if successful this latest example of minority radio in London could become a permanent fixture on the airwaves.

It's an unlikely setting for such an ambitious project - a makeshift studio in a north London shopping centre.

But with a target audience of 200-thousand, Shalom - ("Peace" in Hebrew) - F-M is depending on a unique brand of programming rather than its surroundings as the key to capturing a loyal following of listeners.

Devoting itself to purely Jewish issues, Shalom F-M provides something which no other radio station does.

Among its features is a Rabbi Hotline, and the station's brief franchise also coincides with the Israeli elections later this month, a topic of hot debate among the Jewish community in Britain.

Shalom F-M's founders hope the new station will help bring Jews closer together.

SOUNDBITE:
"Part of the idea of Shalom FM is to reach the community on the fringe, those who don't always attend synagogue, that don't always take an active part in the community, but are there nevertheless. Perhaps they haven't visited a synagogue for a year or two but they still feel their cultural roots are quite strong. This radio we hope will be their link, it will be a way of communicating to get the community together."
SUPER CAPTION: Mike Brooke, Director, Shalom FM

In an attempt to bring to the airwaves a centuries-old Jewish tradition, Shalom F-M's programming includes a Matchmakers slot, an on-air dating service for single Jews hoping to find a partner.

SOUNDBITE:
"If somebody likes the sound of somebody on the radio they will phone up, if they don't they won't, presumably. You've also got to feel, yes, I think I can get on with this person, and it varies, we've had all different kinds of people while we've been on air. It's been very exciting."
SUPER CAPTION: Hayley Brookes, Presenter, Shalom FM

Shalom F-M believes it is filling a gap in the market, and although only an experiment for now the station could soon be on the air for good.

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